Corey Lewandowski accused of sexual assault by Joy Villa

A US singer has filed a sexual assault claim against President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski.

Joy Villa says Mr Lewandowski hit her twice on the backside during an event in Washington last month.

She told the US media she spoke to the police on Christmas Eve, having been persuaded to launch a formal complaint by friends.

Mr Lewandowski has not responded to US media’s requests for comment.

The accusations are the latest in a long line of sexual harassment and assault claims linked to celebrities, politicians and companies, which have gathered pace in the past year, particularly following the downfall of film mogul Harvey Weinstein.

“I was initially fearful to come forward with this,” she said, according to the Associated Press news agency. She said she did not want to embarrass Mr Lewandowski’s family or hers.

She alleges he hit her once on the buttocks, and when she asked him to stop and joked about reporting him for sexual harassment, he did it again. She said he laughed, adding “I work in the private sector”.

She said the hard slaps felt “disgusting and shocking and demeaning”.

News site Politico first reported on the incident last week, saying they had talked to a witness who spoke out before she did.

Ms Villa has previously said she is considering running for Congress – and President Trump has tweeted his support.